Why do child care providers need fair pay?
Child care providers are dedicated professionals who should be paid fairly and supported for their dedication, expertise, and talents. Fair pay for child care providers is not just a matter of economics; it’s a matter of respect for their essential role in shaping a brighter future for all. Ensuring fair pay not only supports providers but also strengthens families and communities.
Child care providers should not have to bear the cost of providing affordable child care to families. The State has underpaid providers for delivering publicly-funded child care services to families for so long that many have been forced to close their doors. These poverty wages make the child care crisis worse and prevent new programs from opening. When California underpays child care providers, families don’t have the child care they need to work and provide for their families.
By not giving child care providers respect and fair pay, California policymakers uphold the legacy of enslaved Black women who cared for children without pay and support discriminatory laws that exploit Black, Latine, and immigrant women.
Until child care providers have fair pay, we will not have an equitable society.
What is fair pay for child care providers?
Fair pay would mean that child care providers can cover their costs and take home a living wage, resulting in stability and growth for themselves and the children in their care.
Many costs go into providing enriching child care for young children and running a sustainable child care program, including:
- Take-Home Pay for Providers
- Certifications and Trainings
- Mortgage or Rent
- Utilities
- Materials and Supplies
- Healthy Food
- Paid Sick Time
- Insurance
- Staff Benefits
- And Much More!
What is California doing to fairly pay child care providers?
California is going through a process to change how the State pays providers who deliver publicly-funded child care services for families. People call this “rate reform.” This new way to pay providers will be based on providers’ costs and is called an “alternative methodology.” This new way to pay providers promises to be fairer than the current method, which lacks transparency, and it is an important step towards a fair, living wage.
Read details about the process by going to our Fair Pay FAQ page.
What would it look like if California implemented an anti-racist policy?
An anti-racist policy would mean California child care providers who deliver publicly-funded child care services are paid 100% of the full cost of care by the State as soon as possible. It is vital that providers have enough to cover their costs and support their own families with dignity. This would acknowledge the longstanding injustices in child care.
Adequately paying child care providers for the enriching care they already provide our young children is essential and long overdue. Families will have more options for their children, and California’s communities will be stronger. This is a critical step towards respecting the child care profession and paying all providers a fair, living wage.
The State must commit to implementing anti-racist and fair policies so that everyone involved in child care can thrive regardless of their ethnicity.
What questions must be answered for California to fairly pay providers?
- Will the State and Child Care Providers United agree on how much to pay providers and how to implement that pay change?
- Will the Federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) approve how and how much the State chooses to pay providers?
- When will the State fully implement a new way to pay all providers for publicly-funded child care?
- How much of the cost of care will the State choose to pay providers? Will this amount change in the future?
- Will the Legislature and the Governor allocate enough funding to cover the costs – now and into the future?
How can I join this effort?
Click here to sign up for email updates. We will contact you with the latest action items to support fair pay for child care providers in California.
Helpful Resources:
- California Department of Social Services Rate and Quality Webpage
- California Child Care Development Fund State Plan Webpage
- Child Care Providers United Current Agreement with California
In the News & Reports:
- California’s Child Care Providers Need a Substantial Pay Raise – CA Budget and Policy Center
- The Multilayered Effects of Racism on Early Educators in California : An Examination of Disparities in Wages, Leadership Roles, and Education – Center for the Study of Child Care Employment
- The Emotional and Physical Well-Being of Early Educators in California – Center for the Study of Child Care Employment
